Customer Reviews

Beautiful Collision

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No matter what Bic Runga records from here onward, she'll probably always be associated with SWAY, one of those rare, perfect pop music moments--not bad results considering it came from her very first album (which is recommended). Yet Bic avoids sophomore jinx on BEAUTIFUL COLLISION with plenty of room to spare. Not to take anything away from her last album, but she has made great strides towards a more unified musical approach.

Bic's growth as a songwriter shows up in virtually all of the songs here. The tunes grab you on the first listen, and don't let go with repeat hearings. A crucial factor in getting her songs across is Bic's flexible voice...very attractive and perfect for the quality lyrics. The music is more consistently reflective than before, favoring acoustic guitars rather than the occasionally amped-up tunes on her last album. BEAUTIFUL COLLISION certainly deserves the attention of anyone looking to see the singer/songwriter tradition pushed forward.

Don't waste your time buying records from cookie cutter, corporate radio-annointed singer chicks. Spend [amt]on Bic's new album Beautiful Collison. Every song is interesting and evocative, both lyrically and musically. In fact, her lyrics are very spare and each word seems precisely placed, either for its meaning or its sound. (At least that is my impression.) This style reminds me very much of the great Aussie songwriter Paul Kelly.

Bic's voice is an amazing thing of beauty, with range and phrasing that is wholly unique, though on the title track I hear a bit of a Bjorkian influence.

Bic plays many of the instruments on the album, and has recruited some famous sidekicks (Neil Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Sebastian Steinberg among others) to play on it, too. For those who know Bic's music already, this album is not a serious departure from Drive, but rather a progression to a more mature style.

Beautiful Collision is, quite simply, one of the best albums of 2002.

Bic has a lot of gumption putting a spare, acoustic ballad as the opening track of this album (usually these songs go at the end of an album), but it really works in this instance. Why? Because the song simply shows off her incredible singing and songwriting talent. 'When I See You Smile'--the tune in question--is a gorgeous love song and serves notice that Bic is a musician to be reckoned with. From that point on, the album moves through several decades worth of pop--some 70's inspired songs, an elecontric-tinged up-tempo tune, a country waltz, and a few more ballads. She does it all with style and aplomb.

Ignore this woman at your peril. She is amazing!

The latest album by Bic Runga a New Zealand born Maori is a classic example of good music that penetrates the ear with facility, quitting the memory with difficulty. The album is entitled 'Beautiful Collision', which sums up its eloquence and grace in bringing catchy tunes together with tranquil rhythms. The first single from the album 'Get some sleep' encapsulates this format.

In the same league as artists such as Dido and Norah Jones, Bic offers a refreshingly eclectic type of music. Songs such as 'Precious things' and 'The be all and end all' illuminate her origionality. One cannot doubt the talents of an artist who can sing, play the harmonica, piano and guitar. Bic also collabrated on this album with Crowded House singer Neil Finn.

For a night of relxation or morning of inspiration, this album could allure even the most unfavourable ear. We've seen a surge in instrument playing, melody singing female artists lately. Although this might not be a die hard Iron Maiden fans cup of tea, it offers a twist to a growing type of artist.

Not in trend with traditional Maori music, Bic has stamped her mark on the term good music, and justified her name in that bracket. A great follow up to 'Drive' her previous album, a romantic and creative advance can be heard. If you plan on taking a rain check on a clubbing night this week, purchase this CD for a chilled session. For summer evenings or winter nights, you won't be disappointed!

Four years ago Bic Runga broke into her home scene of New Zealand in the biggest way with her debut album, Drive. After garnering a plethora of awards praising her recording, singing, songwriting, production, and album in addition to becoming the highest selling local disc in her country's history, what was left for Bic but to conquer the international shores with her winning brand of singer-songwriter pop. The American release of Drive was perfectly timed with the late-nineties Lilith Fair tour and she wasn't lacking for media attention with features in Billboard, Interview, Vogue, and Musician, not to mention countless stories in other international magazines and local papers. But something wasn't to be for Runga. Despite winning unanimous rave reviews from critics the world over, Bic lacked a gimmick. She doesn't have the vengeful spit of Morrissette, Phair, and Harvey, the ethereal kookiness of Amos and Merchant, or the melancholic depression of McLachlan and Apple. Refusing to make a big deal out of her half-Chinese, half-Maori heritage and arthouse film star looks, all Bic carried with her was a good tune, a down-to-earth sensibility and a voice as pure as a Tiffany diamond. How could a performer as revered in her home country as international stars Neil Finn and Dave Dobbyn not achieve the same success as a former Australian soap star with a Clairol contract and a song from a mediocre-at-best Swedish band?

Beautiful Collision is Bic Runga's sophomore album and shows evidence of her musical maturity over the past four years. Again Runga, a self-professed control freak and perfectionist, handles the production duties on this disc just as she did on her debut, Drive, but this time in a more consistent manner allowing each song to fill its appropriate space and tone despite working with twelve engineers in five cities. Rather than suffocating under its own weight like many self-productions, Beautiful Collision is both intimate and lush, simple and complex, confident and fragile. The diminutive and quaint album opener, "When I See You Smile," picks up right where Drive left off with Runga leading the way with just her voice and her guitar. "Get Some Sleep," the first single, is next and is as pop and catchy as the genre can get as she sings, "This is going out to everyone." Fellow Kiwi Neil Finn contributes background vocals on "The Be All And End All," and when Bic isn't playing her own guitar, piano, or percussion, she lets former Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg and REM/Beck drummer Joey Waronker handle the supporting slots. "Honest Goodbyes" is a graceful piano and brushed snare waltz above a string section. The harmonica on "Listening For The Weather" sounds straight from Dylan's mouth while "Counting The Days" features a perfect blend of a clarinet and a banjo combining to create a mood that is both despondent and hopeful. Beautiful Collision is one of the most stunning and haunting albums I have come across in awhile with simple and memorable songs sung prettily over a glossy backdrop that manages to collide the organic and the lush into one pristine package; and what makes it all the better is that Bic Runga pulls it off without sign of any effort or gimmick.

Follow up to her first album "Drive", which is the biggest selling album by a local artist in New Zealand, Bic's second album, Beautiful Collision, is a stunning, groundbreaking, beautiful (of course), that combines sweetness of life, clever lyrics, and work its way to your heart after a few listens to it.
Produced by the same producer who produced Coldplay, this is an extraordinary album that you will never want to put it away at any occasion. It features the 1st and 2nd single, "get Some Sleep" and "Something Good", and check out "Election Night", another superb song that leaves you wishing for more.
I have been listening to this album for more than 3 months now, and it is still on my Top 3 CD list........!!!

I had never heard of Bic Runga before, but when I was looking in the music store tonight, I saw "Beautiful Collision" misplaced in a totally different section. I was curious enough to give a listen to some of the samples that were available. By the time I finished the first 30 seconds of track 1, I knew I was buying it!

Bic's voice is beautiful to listen to, and the rhythm of her songs are just perfect! The last time I had such a reaction to an artist was when I heard Vanessa Carlton playing at the Knitting Factory in Greenwich Village [this was years before she became known for her "Thousand Miles" song]. I can only hope that Bic becomes known here in the States, but even if she doesn't, I plan on catching one of her live shows down in NZ. Also can't wait to get her first album, "Drive!

If you like listening to beautiful female vocals, I'd highly recommend this CD!

I was ready to write this one off, literally, after hearing it the first time, having written "no" next to where it was listed in my notes. So why did it keep haunting me? After a second, third, fourth listen, I became totally hooked. Runga's voice is so perfectly, crystal clear, and seductive, that she becomes absolutely irresistable. Jazz, piano pop, I don't know how to categorize this. It may take you a couple of listens, but if you like soft, intelligent jazz.pop.fusion, this may be for you. Five stars for the opening track, "Get Some Sleep," others get three, three 1/2, four ("Listening for the Weather"), but overall a four for this haunting cd.

I can't take this out of my player. I wasn't blown away by the first listen, but every time I play it, it just keeps getting better. About six years ago, I was backpacking across New Zealand (turned 40, had to do something) and caught Bic at a Club in Queenstown. I've never been so amazed in my life. Her voice is enigmatically haunting and her lyrics are poetic bliss. Get both albums (the other is "Drive") and you'll be up late nights listening to them both.

i bought this disc cause i got to see bic live with her band at an ASCAP showcase at the Sundance Film Festival. she is charming and real as a performer on stage and her recordings reflect that. i liked this one better than 'drive' though both are great records. if you like female singers and are into intelligent lyrics, beautiful melodies and catchy instrumentation this is the disc for you.